College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Colleges for General Biology (Income $0-$30k) in Pennsylvania

53 Ranked Colleges
4,681 Degrees Awarded
$15,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Biology Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Biology Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

General Biology is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 5th of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 107,165 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2019-2020, general biology graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $28,334 and had an average of $23,818 in loans still to pay off.

Across Pennsylvania, there were 4,681 general biology graduates with average earnings and debt of $28,952 and $26,089 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Biology Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 53 colleges that offer a degree in general biology. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality general biology programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the general biology program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank General Biology Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Biology Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Biology Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Biology Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Biology Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Biology (Income $0-$30k) in Pennsylvania

1
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Out of the 53 schools in the Best Value Biology Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Pennsylvania landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 158 degrees to qualified ’s biology students in 2020-2021.

UPenn also made our “Best General Biology Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend UPenn is $580 for Pennsylvania Biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Pennsylvania General Biology Report

2
Swarthmore crest
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, Pennsylvania

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Swarthmore College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Swarthmore College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 42 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Swarthmore not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best General Biology Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for Swarthmore College is $4,594 for pennsylvania biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Swarthmore General Biology Report

3
Haverford crest
Haverford College
Haverford, Pennsylvania

Out of the 53 schools in the Best Value Biology Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Haverford College landed the #3 spot on the list. Haverford is a small school located in Haverford, Pennsylvania that handed out 28 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

Haverford also took the #6 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Haverford College is $9,357 for pennsylvania biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about General Biology at Haverford

4
Lafayette crest
Lafayette College
Easton, Pennsylvania

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Lafayette College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Biology Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k. Lafayette College is located in Easton, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 28 ’s biology degrees to qualified students.

Lafayette also made our “Best General Biology Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for Lafayette is $11,728 for pennsylvania biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Lafayette College General Biology Report

5
Lehigh crest
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Lehigh University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Biology Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 43 degrees to qualified ’s biology students in 2020-2021.

Lehigh also took the #2 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $15,561 for Pennsylvania Biology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lehigh University.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on General Biology at Lehigh University

6
Gettysburg crest
Gettysburg College
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Gettysburg College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. Gettysburg is located in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 35 ’s biology degrees to qualified students.

Gettysburg did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best General Biology Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for Gettysburg College is $14,205 for pennsylvania biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Gettysburg College General Biology Report

7
Franklin and Marshall crest
Franklin and Marshall College
Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Franklin and Marshall College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Franklin and Marshall is a small school located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania that handed out 40 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

Franklin and Marshall also took the #13 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $14,017 for Pennsylvania Biology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Franklin and Marshall.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Biology at Franklin and Marshall

8
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #8, Temple University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Temple is a public institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 338 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania biology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Temple has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best General Biology Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $18,173 for Pennsylvania Biology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Temple.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Temple General Biology Report

9
Dickinson crest
Dickinson College
Carlisle, Pennsylvania

Dickinson College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biology Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Dickinson College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. It awarded 25 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Dickinson College is $12,729 for Pennsylvania Biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Biology at Dickinson

10

University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus is a large public school situated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It awarded 331 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

Pitt also took the #3 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $15,084 for Pennsylvania Biology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Pitt.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Pitt General Biology Report

11
Muhlenberg crest
Muhlenberg College
Allentown, Pennsylvania

Muhlenberg College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Muhlenberg is a private not-for-profit institution located in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 30 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Muhlenberg did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best General Biology Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Muhlenberg College is $18,000 for Pennsylvania Biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Full Muhlenberg College General Biology Report

12
Saint Vincent crest
Saint Vincent College
Latrobe, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #12, Saint Vincent College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Saint Vincent College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 38 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania biology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Saint Vincent has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best General Biology Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Vincent is $15,105 for pennsylvania biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Biology at Saint Vincent College

13
WCUPA crest
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #13, West Chester University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in West Chester, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 143 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WCUPA, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend WCUPA is $15,718 for Pennsylvania Biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about General Biology at WCUPA

14
Bucknell crest
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, Pennsylvania

Bucknell University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Bucknell is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 62 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Bucknell, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Bucknell is $22,722 for pennsylvania biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%.

Read more about General Biology at Bucknell University

15
Lycoming crest
Lycoming College
Williamsport, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #15, Lycoming College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 18 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Lycoming College is $13,045 for Pennsylvania Biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on General Biology at Lycoming College

16
Allegheny crest
Allegheny College
Meadville, Pennsylvania

Allegheny College landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Meadville, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s biology degrees to 35 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania biology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Allegheny has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best General Biology Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Allegheny is $17,681 for Pennsylvania Biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Allegheny General Biology Report

17
SRU crest
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biology degrees to 53 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,091 for pennsylvania biology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about General Biology at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

18
Ursinus crest
Ursinus College
Collegeville, Pennsylvania

Ursinus College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Biology Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ursinus College is located in Collegeville, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 49 ’s biology degrees to qualified students.

Ursinus did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best General Biology Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Ursinus College is $23,145 for Pennsylvania Biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Biology at Ursinus

19
Bloomsburg crest
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #19, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, this medium-sized public school awarded 56 degrees to qualified ’s biology students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Bloomsburg is $16,112 for Pennsylvania Biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about General Biology at Bloomsburg

20
YCP crest
York College of Pennsylvania
York, Pennsylvania

York College of Pennsylvania came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biology Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. York, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s biology degrees to 38 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at YCP, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best General Biology Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $17,617 for Pennsylvania Biology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend York College of Pennsylvania.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about General Biology at YCP

21
Edinboro crest
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Edinboro, Pennsylvania

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Edinboro, Pennsylvania, this small public school handed out 13 diplomas to qualified ’s biology students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,212 for pennsylvania biology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.

Read more about General Biology at Edinboro

22
East Stroudsburg University crest
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized school located in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania that handed out 69 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania biology students whose families make $0-$30k list, East Stroudsburg University has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best General Biology Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania is $16,590 for Pennsylvania Biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about General Biology at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania

23
Kutztown University crest
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Kutztown, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #23, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Kutztown University is a public institution located in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 50 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Kutztown University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best General Biology Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $18,732 for pennsylvania biology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Kutztown University of Pennsylvania.

Read full report on General Biology at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

24
Ship crest
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Shippensburg, Pennsylvania

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biology Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Ship is a medium-sized public school situated in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. It awarded 57 ’s biology degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Ship is $18,076 for pennsylvania biology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Biology at Ship

25
Chatham crest
Chatham University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Chatham University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biology Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s biology degrees to 79 students in 2020-2021.

Chatham also made our “Best General Biology Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $20,348 for pennsylvania biology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Chatham University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on General Biology at Chatham

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options